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Day 2 – falling at creative hurdles

I wake up to my alarm: Radio4. Eyes still closed and I’m already breaking the rules. Later sleepily climbing into the shower to the tune of Radio1 is cheeky too – my shower radio is fiddly to tune to anything, so I just leave it on Radio1, even when I don’t particularly like what’s on. Excuses Excuses. Ah I’m such a maverick (!)

As well as changing my newspaper reading habits for a month, I’m meant to change my radio listening habits too. My first thought was a stubborn, “but I DO change my radio listening habits, and on a daily basis at that.” Read: I listen to the same selection of stations in the same situations every day.

At some point during the morning, I slink off to the newsagents for the weekend edition of The Guardian…as usual. What can I say; I’m a sucker for the supplements.

So far so unadventurous. But I’m positively champing at the bit to say “yes” to something I want to say “no” to. Honest! Sadly noone asks me anything that I can even say “alright then” to, all day.

But then I take a closer look at my invite to a posh awards ceremony next week – I’ve been pondering about whether to RSVP, because I don’t appear to have a plus one and I’m terrified of flying solo in any social situation. Let alone one taking place at a glitzy Mayfair hotel.

I reluctantly tick the “I will attend” box and send it off in its smart, high quality envelope. Too late to change my mind now! Now to be creative with my wardrobe to produce a suitably black-tie outfit, what with a lack of funds to buy anything new nor any time to go home to get my posh frock.

I’ve sort of worked out something smart to wear, but aside from the fact that I don’t know if the skirt will still fit my bigger-than-when-I-bought-it bum, maybe I should do something I haven’t done for about 3 years – borrow some clothes off someone else. I don’t know if I know anyone near enough the same size as me, but it’s a whole new, previously unconsidered possiblity for the moment.

Then I spend some of the rest of the day wandering around (the same old part of) town with my (best, most familiar) friend and also pondering how to tackle my other creative challenges.

As a token gesture, I start blogging again (let’s see if it lasts) and change the look of it to one I wouldn’t normally choose (all green – ick).

More about my other creative challenges tomorrow, but in the meanwhile, even having the tasks put before you brings about a new awareness. The kind of things that you’re conscious of, but you instead choose ignorant bliss. Some examples: subconscious habit-forming; fear of the blurry outer edges of your social comfort zone; knowing your limits…and setting them in concrete, never to be disturbed.

: 01 Oct 2006 01:00 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

No mean feet

They’re on holiday.

Meanwhile, I’m attempting a mean feat.

I’m meant to be all creatively open (that’s open to creativity, to you) for the next month.

I accepted The Challenge willingly and only moments later was trying to wriggle my way out of it. This strikes me as a simple and uncreative process – all I have to do is not do it. Unless I’m going to behave myself and think in an unusual manner…maybe I could padlock all my creative tasks together and run away? No?? Oh.

But seriously, there’s something terrifying about breaking out of routines that you didn’t even count as mundane daily rituals…

Day 1

Case in point: I sit in Pret before work, reading my book (Atonement at the moment) and drinking tea. I ALWAYS do this at some point towards the end of the week, so can’t legitimately count it as taking a different route to work. Yes it’s a different route to the one I usually take, but it’s a weekly habit.

Bugger.

I’m sitting in the same seat I always sit in, in the same Pret I always sit in, doing the same thing (drinking tea and reading). I haven’t made any groundbreaking progress, but then it is only 8.30 in the morning on day 1.

Then 5 minutes later I suddenly realise that I’ve occasionally been peering out the corner of my eye at the newspaper rack, lying in wait for The Guardian. Perhaps my chosen seat is subconsciously my favourite because they get delivered on to that counter every morning?

This is shocking paper-stalking behaviour, but is rewarded when the day’s papers get dumped to the left of my cup of tea and before I even know what I’m doing, I’ve got my nose in the G2 and have pinned Films&Music under my cup of tea, just in case any paper thief passes by.

More reading and people-watching later, I take my usual route from Pret to work, where I make tea and do usual morning things.

Noone asks me anything I want to say no to until the end of the day…when I say no. But I said no to something I felt I ought to say yes to, which is far more unlike me – does it count?

Surely I can just start on the creative trail tomorrow…

: 01 Oct 2006 00:24 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

So many days go by…

And my blog doesn't even get a look in.

I've been suffering from writer's block somewhat. Not just blog wise, but just generally. Then I think of ideas…but somehow can't bring myself to write them. I think I've got The Fear of some sort. As if I'm convinced that I can't write particularly well anymore, but I'm damned if I'm going to just do it and find out.

I think part of it is due to the feeling of being in limbo. No matter what you're doing (out and about, or having a nap just for the sake of it), the gap between jobs conjures a feeling of being suspended in time. Weeks go slowly, somehow simultaneously flashing by and all of a sudden you haven't had a 'proper' job for 3 months.

How did that happen?

I've written another review for BBC music, this time of Keane - Under The Iron Sea but it reads badly, as sub–editing removed both the flow and the intention of the thing. As proven by the third public comment.

So does this mean that it's a good or a bad CD? I wish reviewers would just give it to us straight rather than generate this pretentious waffle!

Well said, Harri! It was much clearer before the subbing. But that's the way the editing hierarchy works. There has to be a process, so you can't really knock it's existence.

On the jobs front: I worked at Sugar rivals, Bliss, for two weeks while their editorial assistant was on hols, and have had two interviews. I've got another one coming up early next week, but there's no writing whatsoever.

One of them would've provided a job…but they weren't allowed to hire, and haven't had the verdict on the second one yet. Not hopeful though, as it was a BBC interview and this knowledge apparently flattened my brain. I didn't talk rubbish, but I certainly didn't sell myself well enough, or show how much useful prep I'd done.

I keep thinking of opinion based things to write on here…but keep getting struck by The Fear. I'll make more of an effort next week and see how I get on.

Until then pop–pickers…or something.

: 18 Jun 2006 16:55 |  Tags: Album London Music Unemployment |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

I woz ere

The new Sugar site is up. It makes me proud to know that I helped plan it in the ideas stage. Then the Deputy Ed worked her arse off to make it all actually happen.

The Celeb Snogathon game is addictive. Go and play! Hilariously Pete Doherty is the minger. For all you ladies out there, it's also quite fun trying out different clothes on the model. And, of course, making your own Woman style cover (it's all in the coverlines don'tcha know).

Go and play! I won't tell anyone…

: 23 May 2006 18:33 |  Tags: Sugar Work |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Recent reviews

I've done three reviews recently which I forgot to link to, and unlike thisisfakediy, these ones are still there. Yay!

There's Pixar

From Toy Story to Bug's Life, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles and the soon–to–be released Cars, a new exhibition lays bare each small, painstaking step involved in creating the animation company's uncannily lifelike characters.

Then a combined review of Carling Live 24 and Camden Crawl

One dodgy sandwich and two crème eggs later, we've split ranks: two of us to board a Thames boat housing a dishy C4 presenter and Boy Kill Boy, and two of us to infiltrate the Islington Academy crowd for Dirty Pretty Things.

And, the most recent, of The Raconteurs' new album, Broken Boy Soliders

Standing quite apart from the strict minimalism associated with The White Stripes, this debut is contentedly uninhibited.

: 22 May 2006 00:52 |  Tags: Album BBC Gig London Music |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Day 30+12

I was just looking back at photos on my blog and remembering happy times.

Isn't it weird how much can change in a year?

Have spent the majority of my day fending off this weird migrainey thing that I've had for a few days. Painkillers won't kill it. Also watched Lati play piano – she was ace.

Fingers crossed for sun tomorrow. Either way, may well get myself down to the beach and sit.

: 07 May 2006 01:54 |  Tags: Unemployment |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Day 30+3

Oops

This is the day that I was meant to wake up all refreshed and ready to face the few gigs of Carling Live 24 that I was due to attend.

Instead, I attempted to wake up at 8am to do cleaning, more washing, and some job stuff, but spent a few hours bleary eyed in bed, drifting in and out of conscious reach of my alarm playing Radio 4 at me (the station, not the band), and got up at 10. Ish.

One bowl of apricot wheats later, I finished off my cuts book in front of trashy daytime TV (as best I could missing a magazine and print outs) bunged some washing in, woke up in the shower, and went for coffee at family friends' house.

My housemate asked if his lip was meant to look like that and looked a bit wistful when I said yes. The madman was intending on readying himself to go to an afternoon lecture.

After coffee, I bought some milk and other essentials. Like bacon. And squash. And HP sauce. And cleaned my way up to meeting Milly in Brixton for a gig adventure.

Carling Live 24 review(s)

And I'm going to have to leave it there until I've finished writing my review, to make sure that there's no crossover between blog and review.

In the meanwhile though, check out Michael and Keeley's review at slash music on the Channel 4 site

Very impressively, they managed to keep up with their "as it happens" web exclusive and had far less sleep and ate far more nasty sandwiches than I. Friends: I salute you.

: 01 May 2006 00:11 |  Tags: Unemployment |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Day 30+2

…get hideously bored, as it turns out. Temporarily distracted by the next instalment of The Apprentice (about bloody time he got booted out), Thursday morning felt empty. I woke up with a start at about 7am, but wasn't hungry and couldn't think of anything decent to get up for.

So I went back to sleep.

After getting up though, I mooched for a bit, ate breakfast, read the paper from the day before, washed my hair…then did some more mooching.

I admired everything in my leaving beauty bag again, looked at my lovely flowers and pined for more leaving snacks; but it got to the stage where I was actually twiddling my thumbs, so I went up to mine…and did some washing.

Then I sat. And did some more thumb twiddling.

Boredom firmly sets in

Is this what unemployment is like? I think I'm meant to be gallvanting and doing all those things that I've always gone "if I didn't have a job, I'd…". Somehow, my brain is just back in school summer holiday mode. i.e. FOR GOD'S SAKE GIVE ME SOMETHING TO DO.

A dilemma

So I was grateful to be invited to grab a sandwich with a friend, then I ran some errands. Looked in H&M and felt far too guilty to spend money that I need to eke out. I'm sure I've said this before, but it's like saving for an involuntary pension.

My brain says "just bugger off on holiday for weeks on end", but then my conscience says "then you'll come home jobless and peniless and I'll pack you off home".

An Alexander Technique lesson later, I couldn't be bothered to go to the gig I was meant to go to, or to the club I was going to go to, and settle down to watch some comedy.

Note to self: You must not watch endless crap on daytime telly.

Unexpected turn of events

Things went askew when I got too bored to stay up any longer at about 11, and as soon as I got to my room, I heard a car door slam. I peered out the window, and after some neck contorting, read the word "police" on top of the car just as I heard my housemate and two other voices come in the front door.

He'd been mugged on the path that crosses the park opposite our house, at about 10.30pm. Three teenagers had made off with his laptop and left him with a very split lip and cuts and bruises on his head.

A&E

Off we went to casualty, where we sat til 4.30am. I fed him lovehearts to counter the shock, as his lip was burning and hot tea wasn't really going to work.

Most of the sitting was in the waiting room with:

• Someone who'd overdosed but was firmly refusing to let his family order for his stomach to be pumped. The nurse explained that as whatever he'd taken, in the quantity he'd taken, wouldn't have much side effect, they could take him home.
• Someone who comes in quite often, and thought it was the daytime. The staff were very genial in dealing with him.
• Four boys, one of whom had twisted his knee really badly. All of whom were slowly sobering up.
• A woman who was violently sick several times.
• Some others who will remain a mystery, as they kept themselves to themselves.
• A crappy TV channel.
• No magazines, or newspapers, or anything. In a waiting room!

When we got moved to wait in Curtain 8, I had flashbacks of being young.

As well as living in hospital accommodation for a good while, I was also babysat by my dad's secretary a lot when he was a surgeon = lots and lots of time in hospitals. The sheets, pillowcases and blankets on the bed were very very familiar and inviting, especially at 4am. My housemate was insisting that I have a nap, but I would have fallen deeply asleep and refused to move if I'd done that.

After a frustratingly short check by the doctor, which wasn't at all thorough, informative or cautionary, we went back home and both gratefully sank into our beds.

Last thoughts before I went to bed was a what if – what if I had gone out that evening? My housemate would have come back to an empty house and might have gone further into shock, or been concussed and not realised, or have had to sit for hours and hours in casualty on his own, getting worked up inside his own head that everyone must think he's the type to start fights. It's strange how self conscious people are in the most serious of situations.

It did reinforce the "everything happens for a reason" way of thinking…but then I suppose it could just have been chance. But let's leave the fate and destiny hypothesising to another day…

: 30 Apr 2006 23:45 |  Tags: Unemployment |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Day 30+1 cont.

Hmm, think I had a smidgen of a lie in, but can't really remember. The days all run into one another y'know.

I checked over a job application and e–mailed it off into cyberspace. Then there was lots of drinking of tea and mooching. I didn't go for drinks with the B girls on R day – partly because I wasn't sure they were going out and hadn't geared up for it, and partly because I was only just getting back to normality after Monday night.

Monday night I went to the first Popworld Promotes gig with a friend from work. It was held at the Hard Rock Café on Old Park Lane, hence the playing of guitars etc, which are in the vault under the shop next door.

Aside from the surreal nature of drinking in the company of people like Alex Zane, and the general strangeness of the night, it was the whole 6 degrees of separation thing. Other new Popworld presenter Alexa, used to model for Sugar, and recognised me from the Popworld pilot that had me in it! She'd interviewed me and lots of other audience members at a Boy Least Likely To gig, and the pilot has me talking about the puppets in the video and then they cut to the video.
How bizzare. She's friends with the fashion girls from work, and her boyfriend is a photographer Sugar use a lot…and it turns out that he's also friends with a freelancer friend of mine…as I said, small world!

There was dancing til late with all of them, some other Popworld people, and the lovely PR girls from rarecommunications. So I suppose drowning my sorrows on day 29 was a good plan.

Anyway, back to day 30+1. I'm pretty sure I was just job hunting and job applying all day. As well as organising how to pick up all my desk stuff in the eve, I also sorted myself out to work unpaid one day a week – behind enemy lines!!

In the evening I made dinner for the family friends that live down the road, and then popped to Greenwich where a friend kindly gave me a lift into town. Handing back the borrowed laptop and putting all my stuff in the boot really cemented it all.

I've spent so many hours in that place that it seems weird not to be able to get in to the building anymore. A sense of panic started to set in as well. Despite the 30 day break, if I ever got bored I just went into work to do job stuff there. Now what the hell am I going to do?!?! Well…

: 30 Apr 2006 23:14 |  Tags: Unemployment |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Day 30+1 – Unemployed

Well, it's NEARLY day 30+1, but I am unemployed. Officially! Yup, I have been made redundant. That sounds like a funny phrase – how someone might write I'm impotent. I think it's just the word redundant that's doing it.

But it's ok, because I played Pete Townshend's guitar last night. And Jimi Hendrix's (OK, I mostly stroked that one, being as I'm not left handed). I also wore Elvis' jacket…in fact I might have been wearing it when playing guitar.

Anyway, either way, last night confirmed the surreal nature of the London media world.

More later, but now, to watch The Apprentice in bed. Or rather: The Apprentice, in bed.

Oh, and anyone want to give me a job? I'm easy. But not easy if you see what I mean…

: 25 Apr 2006 23:19 |  Tags: Unemployment |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Distracted

: 10 Apr 2006 01:23 |  Tags: Redundancy |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Serendipity…Day1*

Ah but these are unrelated comments. You may have noticed that I haven't filled in the now…er, more than 7 day gap on my blog. I have been musing over it, but when I've felt motivated, have been internet free, and when I've been flopped, have been job hunting in a lacklustre manner.

Serendipity because while caught on the fence between motivation and flop, I found two comments from a lovely lady called Cat. I'm assuming she's lovely, because she's written lovely things, but in this cut-throat media world, maybe I should reserve judgement…either way, it's tipped me into motivation.

And all thought processes seem to have become overly complicated like that. Is it because my brain has too much thinking space? Is it some sort of procrastination? Or something else? Hard to tell, but still, that's several days away yet…and I need my diary. The weeks become one long day when there's no routine, as I'm sure all you student types will appreciate.

Day 1

I just got my diary to check what I was doing on day 1. Well duh, I went to work, oblivious. The morning passed by in a hectic fashion. I spent the weekend celebrating my dad's birthday, doing work, and thinking I really need a holiday. "Be careful what you wish for" is probably a relevant phrase here.

One ominous phone call, no lunch, and two meetings, later, shocked doesn't even cover how I felt. Adrenaline pumping, I was pretty shaky and didn't really know what to do with myself. A meeting with my other boss told me that I don't need to go to work during the next 30 (well, 29) days. "but…my whole job is still there". It is. It will be. How does any of this make sense?

My position was created for my other boss, who's also at risk. "but…my whole job is still there". Two stuck records doesn't really make for any kind of constructive solution. An announcement was made to my office. Feel like I'm putting everyone in a bit of an awkward "bugger, what do we say?" situation. It must be a relief to know that your own job isn't at risk.

I stayed 'til the end of the day, as I had commitments that I felt I should uphold…and nothing had really sunk in. Looking back, I should've just gone round the corner with the others and drowned my sorrows.

But as it was, I spent time e-mailing a few people and idly doing things like invoices. Was still picking up the phone etc. "Hello, Sugar magazine (how can they help you, as I don't strictly speaking work here anymore)". The office downstairs was empty, but my office was still ticking over as usual. Very strange.

I got back at 9 or so I think. Still a bit shell-shocked. Looking back, I maybe shouldn't have drowned my sorrows…but ah what the heck. Events from the day were still circling in my brain and not quite making sense. The (approximately) one bottle of wine meant that I didn't care about logic by the time I went to bed, so actually got to sleep without any trouble.

*bq. "B has been suspended pending an immediate review," she said. "The May issue, which goes on sale next week, will be the last until further notice. The review will last approximately 30 days. Twenty staff will now enter a period of consultation today."

An official company quote from the mediaguardian article.

I suppose I'll have to tag anything and everything I write about this with a disclaimer: anything I write about this is purely my own views and experiences and has nothing to do with the company's opinions and plans. What they've said above is the reality, this is just me.

: 10 Apr 2006 00:06 |  Tags: Redundancy |  Comments (7) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

And the rest…

Courtesy of a press release as of 3rd April 2006…

THE RACONTEURS
AUDIOSLAVE
FALL OUT BOY
PLEASE NOTE, FALL OUT BOY ARE PLAYING READING ONLY
THE SUBWAYS.
PANIC! AT THE DISCO
YEAH YEAH YEAHS
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS
THE FUTUREHEADS
THE CRIBS
WOLFMOTHER
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
THE RAKES
THE KOOKS

*STILL TO COME *

THE MAIN STAGE – More of the biggest names and exclusive performances

THE RADIO ONE/ NME STAGE – The bands as they break, future Main Stage headliners and classic performances that will enter Reading and Leeds folklore.

THE LOCK-UP STAGE– The best of the punk, ska and skate scene take over for one day as ever. Always packed from noon to night and for the first time ever, at both sites for two days by popular demand.

THE DANCE STAGE – The best and biggest names in the dance and hip hop world.

THE COMEDY STAGE – The best comedy, cabaret and outright strangeness to complement the bands and also offer late night entertainment.

THE CARLING STAGE – The cream of the new bands, the “ones to watch”. There for you to watch on one stage for three days.

THREE DAY WEEKEND TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT FOR BOTH SITES

A limited number of weekend tickets with coach packages are available via SEE Tickets 0870 060 3775 or www.seetickets.com

A limited number of day tickets, not including camping and parking, are priced £60 each subject to booking fee and are available from selected outlets. See below.

Car parking passes (subject to booking fee) must be booked with event tickets. One pass is available per household.

National Credit Card Hotline: SEE Tickets, Wayahead: 0870 060 3775

Online:

DAY TICKETS ONLY - Tickets available from:

www.meanfiddler.com, www.readingfestival.com, www.leedsfestival.com, www.seetickets.com

In Person: DAY TICKETS ONLY

Tickets can be bought at face value, when paid for in cash, at all Mean Fiddler Box Offices. Please note that picture ID may be requested at the time of booking.

Mean Fiddler Box Offices:

The Astoria, 157 Charing Cross Road, WC2

The Garage, 20–22 Highbury Corner, N5

Mean Fiddler Head Office, 16 High Street, Harlesden, NW10

In person at HMV:

DAY TICKETS ONLY

Tickets are also available from selected HMV stores: (subject to booking fee, in person only, maximum two tickets per person, whilst stocks last, subject to availability, at participating stores only):

Reading tickets:

Bath, Basingstoke, Bracknell, Bristol (Broadmead), Guildford, Kingston, Newbury, Oxford, Portsmouth (Commercial Road), Reading (Oracle Centre), Reading (Friar Street), Slough, Southampton, Staines, Swindon, Trocadero Centre, Winchester, Windsor, Woking.

Leeds tickets:

Barnsley, Birmingham (High Street), Bradford, Doncaster, Grimsby, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds (Birstall), Leeds (Headrow Centre), Leeds (White Rose Centre), Liverpool, Manchester (90 Market Street), Newcastle, Rotherham, Scunthorpe, Sheffield (High Street), Sheffield (Meadowhall), Wakefield, York, York (Monks Cross).

Tickets are strictly limited to a maximum of eight per household – for those booking by telephone or online – or a maximum of four per person for those purchasing tickets at the Mean Fiddler booking offices.

Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no seperate children's area at this event.

ON SITE FACILITIES INCLUDE:

Bars, Cash Points, First Aid & Paramedics, Food & Non Food Stalls, Information Tent, Left Luggage, Meeting Point, Market Stalls, Merchandise, Showers, Welfare Tent.

DISABLED FACILITIES

Mean Fiddler produces a guide to Disabled Access and Facilities for all it's festivals, which includes details of the 2-for-1 ticket scheme. Applications for the Reading 2-for-1 scheme must be received by Friday 29th July

Please request a booklet and application form on 020 8961 5490.

Mean Fiddler Information Hotline (Mon-Fri 10am – 6pm) 020 8963 0940

FESTIVAL FACTS

* It takes 3 weeks to prepare the Reading and Leeds Festival sites and 2 weeks to take them down again

* Each site is built by over 150 crew

* 10 million watts is required to power each festival site

* Artists drink over 9000 bottles of water and over 13000 cans of lager over the weekend.

* The festival produces over 300 tonnes of rubbish, which it takes 2 weeks to clear after the event finishes.

* Thanks to the festival goer we recycled over 7000 bags of rubbish in 2004 through the onsite Litter Exchanges.

* Over 3500 people work during the festival weekend at each site

* More than 100 trucks with thousands of tons of equipment are used

* There are over 800 toilets on each site

* 10,000 metres of cable are used

* O’Malley Alley at Reading Festival is named after a member of the festival medical team who worked on the festival crew for many years who has passed away now

* In Reading, Henrys Gate is named after a tractor driver who works on the site during the festival

* In Reading, Reapers Bridge is named after one of the stage manager’s called the Grim Reaper

* In Leeds, Out of Harm’s Way is named after Harmony who runs the production office

* There are 90 food traders onsite, selling a variety of food, from burgers to pasta, doughnuts and even salad! More than a quarter of a million burgers and hot dogs were eaten over the course of the weekend.

* 2 million pints of lager are drunk during the festival.

* There are 80 market stalls onsite selling a variety of products including clothing, footwear, jewellery, camping accessories, blankets and newspapers.

: 05 Apr 2006 10:34 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Reading festival 2006 acts

Oops, meant to blog about this when I got back and totally forgot. And was doing a spot of late night baking.

Met the lovely Katie after 'work' and went to the Carling Reading & Leeds festival lineup, launch…if that's the right terminology. It took place in a West End venue (oo, ominous) where we ate many a dainty can ape and drank several sea-breeze cocktails. All complementary of course. Such is the nature of press thingummies. Dahling.

Famous faces I recognised were Sarah Cawood and then one who turned out to be there on a work duty: Colin 'What age are ya?' Murray (Dan WC, that was for you).

I also saw some of the More editorial team who seemed to be interviewing Colin Murray for a bit, and I swear I saw one of them exchanging numbers with him. Ah to be a proper journalist.

ANYWAY. The lineup.

Headliners: Pearl Jam, Muse, Franz Ferdinand

And others: Belle & Sebastian, Primal Scream, Placebo, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Streets, Feeder and Maximo Park.

The Lock-up stage acts are still to be announced. Apparently Belle & Sebastian were due to turn up, as was Grant from Feeder. Lucky for me, I've already seen the latter

And now, back to watching Newsnight and reading Ingo for work.

I'll definitely fill in days 1 to 7 on my blog tomorrow.

Definitely. Certainly. Surely.

: 03 Apr 2006 23:23 |  Tags: Festivals Music |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

30 days?

"B has been suspended pending an immediate review," she said. "The May issue, which goes on sale next week, will be the last until further notice. The review will last approximately 30 days. Twenty staff will now enter a period of consultation today."

An official company quote from the mediaguardian article.

I suppose I'll have to tag anything and everything I write about this with a disclaimer: anything I write about this is purely my own views and experiences and has nothing to do with the company's opinions and plans. What they've said above is the reality, this is just me.

It feels weird writing anything even remotely substantial on my blog…or at all. I'm sort of terrified of expressing myself in writing again. For several weeks/ months it feels like I haven't even had the space to express myself in my own head, now all of a sudden I have the time and space to errr… just b. ;)

Seriously though, I'm trying to see the silver linings. As per the company, nothing is definite or decided, but I figure I might as well prepare for the worst – it's not a pessimistic outlook, I just need to make sure that I'm sorted no matter what the outcome.

Besides, can't just sit on my arse for 30 days, can I?

: 01 Apr 2006 14:09 |  Tags: 30 Days |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Redundancy

Writing about web page http://media.guardian.co.uk/presspublishing/story/0,,1741458,00.html

So, my job is "at risk" of redundancy. If anyone wants to give me a job, you know where to find me…

More later.

Yours reverting back to student life,
Shall

: 29 Mar 2006 13:15 |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Music of the Spheres

: 01 Mar 2006 12:34 |  Tags: Album Music Review Work |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Celebrity slutting

Having been in London for ages (well, since July) I seem to have suddenly started spotting famous people (not including people at work things, that would be cheating).

Last year I merely walked past…

and I walked past a well known rower (can't remember which one) and Daniel Bedingfield (not together) too. I had to have…

pointed out to me by Milly and took some convincing that it was even him.

I can't remember whether it was this year or last, when I kicked this man's car:

and he had the same smug look when he was too busy gassing on his mobile to pay attention to the fact that his gallumping (what does that word mean?) SUV was in the way of people trying to cross. Admittedly I kicked the car before I knew it was him, but I'd do it again…

Then on the 18th of Feb, after the NME Awards, there was a post-gig triple spot in the foyer of Brixton Academy (they're like ruddy buses I tell you). These sprightly, young types hadn't left after Arctic Monkeys (well done)



She's stalking Ricky , apparently.

And a mere 3 days later, I found myself lunching in the company of…

in The Hollybush in Hampstead

But I was more interested by dining next to…

at The Providores last night. He's cute, but alas he was with his girlfriend (as if that's the defining factor(!))

That London. It's a funny place.

: 28 Feb 2006 18:34 |  Tags: Celebrities London |  Comments (8) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

One's journals are a jolly private affair…

Writing about web page http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2766-2058474,00.html

This is a mock extract from Prince Charles' diary and was in the Sunday Times Review section (yesterday). It made me laugh 'til I cried, and that's a rare thing let me tell you. Here's an extract…from an extract….

There was a lump in my throat and, as Camilla hummed strains of You’re Beautiful by James Blunt, I was nearly finished off. “And I’m afraid they have printed your journal about Hong Kong, sir,” added Peat. My journal! Hong Kong! Instantly the gloom returned. Then, as a grey mist descended before my eyes, I found myself desperately pounding pastry after pastry on top of Peat’s shiny dome

: 27 Feb 2006 14:25 |  Tags: Comedy News |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

And then…

Follow-up to Kooks Inside In/ Inside Out album review from Hub of Creativity...

: 24 Feb 2006 15:38 |  Tags: Album Music Thisisfakediy |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem